INDEPENDENCE, MO. ? Police on Friday were searching for the owners of three pit bulls after the dogs attacked and injured three men, one critically.

Police were called Thursday evening and found the victims after they had been attacked within a block of each other.

The dogs attacked one man while he was out walking, police said. The man was taken to hospital in serious condition.

Another man was attacked nearby while mowing grass in a field.

He was hospitalized in critical condition with extensive bites to the arms, upper body, face and head.

The third victim was attacked while cutting his grass and drove himself to a hospital.

The victims’ names were not released Friday.

Sgt. John Passiglia said police shot and killed the dogs.

It was not clear who owned the dogs or why they were running loose, police spokesman Tom Gentry said.